Location: Northampton – covering sites within approximately 50–60 miles

Salary: £75,000 DOE

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Working Arrangement: Office-based with regular weekly site visits

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor looking for genuine ownership and commercial responsibility within an established groundworks business?

This is an opportunity to join a well-established groundworks subcontractor in a senior commercial position, where you’ll have the autonomy to manage your own workload and take ownership of the commercial performance of projects from tender through to completion.

You’ll work closely with senior management, have a direct influence on profitability, procurement and commercial strategy, and play an important role in the continued development of the business.

The Role

As Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will take ownership of the commercial management of groundworks projects from initial tender through to final account.

The role is primarily office-based in Northampton, with weekly visits to live sites across a typical 50–60 mile radius. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Taking commercial ownership of groundworks projects.
• Preparing and pricing tenders from first principles.
• Producing detailed take-offs, BOQs and cost plans.
• Pricing earthworks, drainage, foundations, deep excavations, piling and concrete works.
• Reviewing drawings and ground investigation information to identify commercial and ground-condition risks.
• Managing subcontractor and supplier enquiries, quotations and negotiations.
• Leading procurement and supply-chain management.
• Monitoring project costs, margins and overall commercial performance.
• Managing variations, valuations and change control.
• Monitoring plant utilisation, output and associated costs.
• Managing muck-away records and waste transfer documentation.
• Preparing interim valuations and managing these through to payment.
• Managing subcontract accounts and supporting final accounts.
• Working closely with senior management on commercial decisions and project strategy.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor with strong groundworks subcontractor experience who is confident in managing projects independently and taking commercial ownership.

You should have:

• 3+ years' relevant QS experience, ideally within a groundworks subcontractor.
• Strong knowledge of groundworks and civil engineering.
• Proven experience pricing groundworks packages from first principles.
• Strong understanding of earthworks, drainage and foundations.
• Ability to interpret structural, drainage and level drawings.
• Strong commercial, procurement and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing variations, valuations, subcontractors and final accounts.
• Strong Excel and numerical skills.
• A full UK driving licence.

A BSc, HNC or HND in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management is desirable, although strong relevant experience will be considered.

JCT/subcontract experience would be advantageous.

What’s on Offer

• £75,000, depending on experience.
• 20 days' holiday plus bank holidays.
• Weekly site visits.
• Long-term opportunity within an established family business.
• A less corporate, low-red-tape environment with direct access to senior management.
• Genuine autonomy and the opportunity to have a direct impact on commercial performance.

Ready for Your Next Move?

If you’re an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor with a strong groundworks subcontractor background and are looking for a role where you can take genuine ownership and work closely with senior management, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply now with your CV to discuss the opportunity in confidence.